Portable mortar hopper

ABSTRACT

A mobile hopper assembly is towable by a vehicle and includes a frame, a hopper that is fixedly attached to the frame, a leg that is attached to the frame, and a wheel that is coupled to the frame. The leg includes a movable portion that is movable with respect to the frame between a retracted position and an extended position, and the wheel at least partially supports the mobile hopper assembly when the leg is in the retracted position.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to hoppers. Specifically, the inventionrelates to hoppers for dispensing mortar.

Mortar is used in masonry work to bind and support bricks, block, andother building materials together and is most often composed of anaggregate (e.g. sand), a binder (e.g. cement), and water. The aggregate,binder, and water are mixed together in a mixer to form wet mortar whichmay be used as a construction material.

Aggregate and binder are generally mixed and bagged for use on jobsites. The bags are transported to the job site and mixed with water toform the wet mortar.

SUMMARY

In one construction, the invention provides a mobile hopper assemblythat is towable by a vehicle and includes a frame, a hopper that isfixedly attached to the frame, a leg that is attached to the frame, anda wheel that is coupled to the frame. The leg includes a movable portionthat is movable with respect to the frame between a retracted positionand an extended position, and the wheel at least partially supports themobile hopper assembly when the leg is in the retracted position.

In another construction, the invention provides a mobile hopper assemblythat is towable by a vehicle and includes a frame, a hopper that isfixedly attached to the frame, a plurality of legs that are attached tothe frame, and a wheel that is coupled to the frame. Each leg includes amovable portion that is movable to move the hopper between a portableposition, a partially raised position, and a raised position. The wheelat least partially supports the hopper when the hopper is in theportable position.

In still another construction, the invention provides a mobile hopperassembly that is towable by a vehicle and includes a frame, a hopperthat is fixedly attached to the frame and includes a converging portionand a dispensing device, and a plurality of legs that each include astationary portion that is attached to the frame and a movable portionthat is movable with respect to the stationary portion between aretracted position and an extended position. A plurality of lockingdevices are each associated with one of the plurality of legs toselectively inhibit the movement of the movable portions with respect tothe stationary portions. A wheel is coupled to the frame to at leastpartially support the hopper when the movable portions are in theretracted position, and a trailer assembly is coupled to the frame andthe vehicle such that the trailer assembly at least partially supportsthe hopper when the movable portions are in the retracted position.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable mortar hopper in a partiallyraised position.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a securing device and a portion of a legof the portable mortar hopper of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the portable mortar hopper of FIG. 1 in araised position.

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the portable mortarhopper of FIG. 1 in a mobile position and connected to a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein ismeant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereofas well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, theterms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variationsthereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirectmountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected”and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connectionsor couplings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a portable hopper assembly 10. The portable hopperassembly 10 will be described herein with reference to the distributionof mortar, although it is conceivable to use the portable hopperassembly 10 for other products such as food stuffs, paper pulp, dryconcrete, and various other materials.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the portable hopper assembly 10includes a frame 14, four legs 18, a distribution assembly 22, and anaxle assembly 26. The portable hopper assembly 10 is illustrated in FIG.1 in a partially raised position and is movable into a raised position(shown in FIG. 3) or a portable position (shown in FIG. 4) as well asthe partially raised position. In addition, the partially raisedposition may include multiple partially raised positions, such that theportable hopper assembly 10 is movable to any number of partially raisedpositions with differing heights. Furthermore, the raised position maybe at a different height than is shown in FIG. 3 such that while in theraised position the portable hopper assembly 10 is in a higher positionthan is shown or a lower position than is shown.

The distribution assembly 22 includes a hopper 30, a top cover 34, agrate (not shown), and a dispensing device 38. The hopper 30 includes astraight portion 42 that has a cylindrical shape and a convergingportion 46 that has a conical shape. In other constructions, the hopper30 may have different shapes, such as pyramidal, conical, cylindrical,or other shapes that are well known by those skilled in the art. Inaddition, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that theangles of the converging portion 46 may be varied to best accommodatethe material passing through the hopper 30.

The top cover 34 connects to a top 50 of the hopper 30 with a hinge 54and is movable between an open position and a closed position. When inthe open position material can be placed in the hopper 30 via a topopening (not shown). When in the closed position, the top cover 34inhibits access to the top opening of the hopper 30 to inhibit theunwanted addition of material to the hopper 30. The grate is positionedin the top opening below the top cover 34 such that when the top cover34 is in the closed position the grate is hidden. When the top cover 34is in the open position and material is being added to the hopper 30,the grate inhibits contaminants from entering the hopper 30 and breakslarge clumps of dry material into smaller pieces. In otherconstructions, one or both of the top cover 34 and the grate may beremoved. In addition, the top cover 34 and grate may be disposed in theside of the straight portion 42 of the hopper 30 so as to allow sideloading of the hopper 30. In these alternate constructions, the top 50would be closed or covered.

The dispensing device 38 is positioned at the bottom of the convergingportion 46 such that it receives a flow of material from the hopper 30.The dispensing device 38 is movable between an open position in whichmaterial may flow through the dispensing device 38, and a closedposition in which material is inhibited from flowing through thedispensing device 38. In some constructions, the dispensing device 38may have multiple open positions which allow for variable flow rates ofmaterial through the dispensing device 38. These constructions allowusers to efficiently dispense mortar to various containers whilereducing spillage. In other constructions, while in the open position,the dispensing device 38 allows material to pass through such that theamount of material exiting the portable hopper assembly 10 can beaccurately measured.

The four legs 18 attach to the frame 14 and support the distributionassembly 22, the frame 14, and in some positions, the axle assembly 26.Each of the legs 18 includes a stationary portion 58 and a movableportion 62. The stationary portion 58 directly connects to the frame 14and defines a first aperture or single round position hole 66. Themovable portion 62 is disposed within the stationary portion 58 and ismovable with respect to the stationary portion 58 between a retractedposition and an extended position. The movable portion 62 defines aplurality of second apertures or round adjustment holes 70 spaced alongthe length of the movable portion 62 such that each adjustment hole 70selectively aligns with the position hole 66 as the movable portion 62is moved with respect to the stationary portion 58. Each movable portion62 includes a foot 74 that, in some positions, contacts the ground andsupports the leg 18 such that the portable hopper assembly 10 is stable.In other constructions, more than four or less than four legs 18 areconceivable. In addition, the adjustment holes 70 may be defined in thestationary portion 58 and the position hole 66 defined in the movableportion 62 if desired.

In the retracted position, the movable portions 62 are positioned suchthat the feet 74 do not contact the ground and the hopper 30 is in theportable position. In the extended position, the movable portions 62 aresubstantially extended with respect to the stationary portions 58 suchthat the feet 74 contact the ground and the hopper 30 is in one of thepartially raised position and the raised position.

To lock the legs 18 at a desired height or position a securing devicesuch as a securing peg 78 is removably inserted through the alignedposition hole 66 and adjustment hole 70 (see FIG. 2). The illustratedsecuring peg 78 is cylindrical and includes a handle portion 82. Thesecuring peg 78 may include a retention device that inhibitsunintentional removal of the securing peg 78 from the position hole 66and the adjustment hole 70. The retention device may be a clevis pin, aball and spring detent, a cotter pin, or other such retention devices asare well known in the art. In other constructions, the securing peg 78,adjustment holes 70, and position hole 66 may be square or other shapesas well as different sizes.

The axle assembly 26 includes an axle 86, two wheels 90, a tire 94attached to each wheel 90, and a fender 98 positioned over each wheel90. Axle support members 102 that are rigidly connected to the frame 14provide rigid support to the axle assembly 26 such that in the raisedposition the axle assembly 26 is lifted with the frame 14. In otherconstructions, the axle support members 102 support the axle assembly 26to ensure free rotation of a least a portion of the axle assembly 26. Inaddition, more than one axle assembly 26 may be supported by one or moreaxle support members 102.

In the portable position shown in FIG. 4, the axle assembly 26 supportsat least a portion of the portable hopper assembly 10 and the wheels 90roll over the ground and allow the portable hopper assembly 10 to bemoved with a vehicle 106. While in the partially raised position and theraised position the axle assembly 26 does not support a significantportion of the portable hopper assembly 10. In other constructions, theaxle assembly 26 may be in constant contact with the ground and the axleassembly 26 may support a portion of the portable hopper assembly 10 inall positions.

The frame 14 includes a plurality of structural members 110 (e.g. beams)that attach to one another and connect the legs 18 to the distributionassembly 22. The frame 14 also includes a ladder 114, a platform 118,the axle support members 102, and lift members 122. The ladder 114 ismovable between a lowered position and a stored position. While theportable hopper assembly 10 is in the raised position, the ladder 114 isin the lowered position such that an operator may use the ladder 114 tomove between the ground and the platform 118. The ladder 114 may bemoved to the stored position when the portable hopper assembly 10 is inthe portable position.

The platform 118 includes a metal grate that is attached (e.g. welded)to the frame 14. The platform 118 provides the operator with access tothe top 50 of the distribution assembly 22. In other constructions, theplatform 118 may be fastened to the frame 14 with fasteners, or may beformed as a single piece with the frame 14. In addition, the platform118 may be a solid member and may be constructed from various materials,such as wood or plastic if desired.

The lift members 122 are attached to the frame 14 and receive a liftingdevice (not shown), such as the forks of a fork truck, to position theportable hopper assembly 10 in the raised position. The lifting devicemay also be used to position the portable hopper assembly 10 in theother positions, as desired by the operator. In other constructions, thelift members 122 may receive or include other lifting devices such asjacks, scissor mechanisms, or vertical winches.

Referring to FIG. 1, the portable hopper assembly 10 is shown in thepartially raised position in which the legs 18 have been adjusted to alength shorter than the fully extended length in the raised position(FIG. 3). In the partially raised position, the portable hopper assembly10 may be prepared for transportation (as illustrated in FIG. 4). Inaddition, it may be desirable to configure the portable hopper assembly10 in the partially raised position to accommodate other equipment. Forexample, while in the partially raised position the portable hopperassembly 10 fits under a bulk hopper for filling. In this way, theportable hopper assembly 10 is adaptable to a number of differentequipment arrangements and operator demands.

FIG. 4 illustrates the portable hopper assembly 10 in the portableposition. In this position, the movable portions 62 are in the retractedposition such that the feet 74 do not come into contact with the groundand the wheels 90 support at least a portion of the weight of theportable hopper assembly 10.

A trailer assembly 130 is removably coupled to the frame 14 and includesa connecting portion 134, a locking device, a hitch point 138, and anelectrical connection (not shown). The connecting portion 134 isinserted into a receiving portion 142 on the frame 14 and is locked inplace with the locking device, which in the illustrated construction isa fastening peg 146 similar to the securing pegs 78 used on the legs 18.In other constructions, the trailer assembly 130 may be permanentlyconnected to the frame 14. In addition, other methods of removablycoupling the trailer assembly 130 to the frame 14 exist and could beemployed if desired.

The hitch point 138 connects to the vehicle 106 such that the trailerassembly 130 at least partially supports the portable hopper assembly 10and transfers a portion of the load to the vehicle 106. The vehicle 106,such as a pick-up truck, is then able to pull the portable hopperassembly 10 to a desired location.

The electrical connection connects to an indicator wiring harness on thevehicle 106 and provides power to indicator lights (not shown) on therear of the portable hopper assembly 10. The indicator lights indicatewhen the vehicle 106 is braking, turning, or performing other suchmaneuvers. In other constructions, the electrical connection may beplaced on a different component or may be configured differently.

In operation, the portable hopper assembly 10 is positioned under thebulk hopper in the partially raised position such that the legs 18support the portable hopper assembly 10. The top cover 34 is moved tothe open position and mortar enters into the hopper 30 from the bulkhopper through the grate. When the hopper 30 is filled to the desiredlevel, the top cover 34 is moved into the closed position, the trailerassembly 130 is coupled to the portable hopper assembly 10, and theportable hopper assembly 10 is attached to the vehicle 106 via the hitchpoint 138.

The portable hopper assembly 10 is transported to a work site while inthe portable position, after it has been filled. When the portablehopper assembly 10 is in the desired location, the hitch point 138 andelectrical connection are removed from the vehicle 106 and the liftingdevice lifts the portable hopper assembly 10 into the partially raisedposition. The securing pegs 78 are then removed from the position holes66 and the adjustment holes 70 such that the movable portions 62 arefree to move within the stationary portions 58. Each movable portion 62is extended such that the adjustment hole 70 that corresponds with thepartially raised position aligns with the position hole 66 and thesecuring peg 78 is inserted through the position hole 66 and thecorresponding adjustment hole 70 such that the portable hopper assembly10 is held in the partially raised position by the legs 18. At thispoint the trailer assembly 130 is removed.

The portable hopper assembly 10 may be used in the partially raisedposition wherein the lifting device would be removed and the ladder 114lowered to allow the operator to access the top 50 of the hopper 30. Thepartially raised position may be any of a number of different heightsdepending on the requirements set by the operator. This height is oftendependant on the other components being used in the system.

In the preferred construction, the securing pegs 78 would not beinserted and the lifting device would lift the portable hopper assembly10 to the raised position. As the lifting device lifts the portablehopper assembly 10, the movable portions 62 continue to extend until thedesired height is reached. When the portable hopper assembly 10 hasreach the desired raised position, the securing pegs 78 are inserted andthe lifting device removed. The plurality of adjustment holes 70 may beused to position the portable hopper assembly 10 on uneven ground bylocking the legs 18 at different positions such that the legs 18 aredifferent lengths while the hopper 30 is substantially level.

Once in the raised position, the ladder 114 is lowered to the groundsuch that the operator may use the ladder 114 to stand on the platform118 and access the top 50 of the hopper 30.

To dispense material to a receiver such as a bucket or wheelbarrow, thedispensing device 38 is moved to the open position or one of thedifferent open positions, and material exits the hopper 30 at a desiredrate. To stop the flow of material the dispensing device 38 is moved tothe closed position.

When the portable hopper assembly 10 is no longer needed, the liftingdevice lifts the portable hopper assembly 10, the securing pegs 78 areremoved, and the lifting device lowers the portable hopper assembly 10to the partially raised position where the securing pegs 78 areinserted. The trailer assembly 130 is installed and attached to avehicle 106 and the securing pegs 78 are again removed. The liftingdevice continues to lower the portable hopper assembly 10 until thewheels 90 contact the ground and the hitch point 138 engages the vehicle106. At this point the trailer assembly 130 and the wheels 90 aresupporting a portion of the load. The movable portions 62 are moved tothe retracted position and secured in place with the securing pegs 78 toallow the vehicle 106 to transport the portable hopper assembly 10 awayfrom the work site.

Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a portable hopperassembly. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forthin the following claims.

1. A mobile hopper assembly towable by a vehicle, the assemblycomprising: a frame; a hopper fixedly attached to the frame; a legattached to the frame, the leg including a movable portion that ismovable with respect to the frame between a retracted position and anextended position; and a wheel coupled to the frame to at leastpartially support the mobile hopper assembly when the leg is in theretracted position.
 2. The mobile hopper assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising a trailer assembly removably coupled to the frame and thevehicle that at least partially supports the hopper when the leg is inthe retracted position.
 3. The mobile hopper assembly of claim 1,further comprising a dispensing device coupled to the hopper.
 4. Themobile hopper assembly of claim 3, wherein the dispensing device hasmultiple open positions.
 5. The mobile hopper assembly of claim 1,wherein the leg includes a stationary portion having a first aperture,and wherein the movable portion includes a plurality of secondapertures.
 6. The mobile hopper assembly of claim 5, further comprisinga securing device coupled to the leg and operable to inhibit movement ofthe movable portion with respect to the stationary portion.
 7. Themobile hopper assembly of claim 6, wherein the securing device includesa peg engageable with the first aperture and one of the plurality ofsecond apertures.
 8. The mobile hopper assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising an axle, a first wheel, and a second wheel.
 9. A mobilehopper assembly towable by a vehicle, the assembly comprising: a frame;a hopper fixedly attached to the frame; a plurality of legs attached tothe frame, each leg including a movable portion that is movable to movethe hopper between a portable position, a partially raised position, anda raised position; and a wheel coupled to the frame that at leastpartially supports the hopper when the hopper is in the portableposition.
 10. The mobile hopper assembly of claim 9, further comprisinga trailer assembly removably coupled to the frame and the vehicle thatat least partially supports the hopper when the hopper is in theportable position.
 11. The mobile hopper assembly of claim 9, whereinthe plurality of legs includes four legs.
 12. The mobile hopper assemblyof claim 9, wherein each leg includes a stationary portion having afirst aperture, and wherein the movable portion includes a plurality ofsecond apertures.
 13. The mobile hopper assembly of claim 12, whereinthe movable portion of each of the plurality of legs is individuallymovable.
 14. The mobile hopper assembly of claim 12, further comprisinga securing device coupled to each of the plurality of legs and operableto inhibit movement of the movable portion with respect to thestationary portion.
 15. The mobile hopper assembly of claim 14, whereineach securing device locks each of the plurality of legs to position thehopper in one of the portable position, the partially raised position,and the raised position.
 16. The mobile hopper assembly of claim 14,wherein each securing device includes a peg engageable with the firstaperture and one of the second apertures.
 17. The mobile hopper assemblyof claim 9, further comprising a dispensing device coupled to thehopper.
 18. The mobile hopper assembly of claim 17, wherein thedispensing device has multiple open positions.
 19. A mobile hopperassembly towable by a vehicle, the assembly comprising: a frame; ahopper fixedly attached to the frame, the hopper including a convergingportion and a dispensing device; a plurality of legs each including astationary portion attached to the frame and a movable portion that ismovable with respect to the stationary portion between a retractedposition and an extended position; a plurality of locking devices eachassociated with one of the plurality of legs to selectively inhibit themovement of the movable portions with respect to the stationaryportions; a wheel coupled to the frame to at least partially support thehopper when the movable portions are in the retracted position; and atrailer assembly coupled to the frame and the vehicle that at leastpartially supports the hopper when the movable portions are in theretracted position.
 20. The mobile hopper assembly of claim 19, whereinthe plurality of legs includes four legs.
 21. The mobile hopper assemblyof claim 19, wherein each movable portion is individually movable. 22.The mobile hopper assembly of claim 19, wherein the dispensing devicehas multiple open positions.
 23. The mobile hopper assembly of claim 19,wherein the movable portions are movable to position the hopper in oneof a portable position, a partially raised position, and a raisedposition.
 24. The mobile hopper assembly of claim 19, wherein each ofthe stationary portions includes a first aperture, and each of themovable portions includes a plurality of second apertures.
 25. Themobile hopper assembly of claim 24, further comprising a securing devicecoupled to one of the plurality of legs, the securing device engageablewith the first aperture and one of the plurality of second apertures toinhibit movement of the movable portion with respect to the stationaryportion.